The last part...whew!
> Here's the latest version of my New Job, New School article.
> > For some of you, school has already started, so you'll need to adapt
> > the 'before school starts' suggestions as much as possible:
> >
> > MONTH BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS:
> > 1. Make friends with school secretary.
> > a. Get copy of first month's school calendar.
> > b. Find out school/district timetables for purchase orders, admin.
> > reports, major events, etc
> > c. Find out names/phone numbers of any district contacts you will =
need
> > to interact with (supervisors, personnel office, accounts office, =
other
> > librarians, PTA volunteer coordinator, etc.)
> > d. Find out school policy on use of copiers, laminators, =
poster-makers,
> > etc., especially if they are located anywhere near the library.
> > e. Find out about supply room, supply orders, etc.
> > f. Discreetly try to find out what clerical help (if any) might be
> > available from the office staff, especially if there is no library
> > staff.
> > g. Find out if/when/how the library facility is used after regular
> > school hours.
> > 2. Make friends with library staff, if any.
> > a. Discuss roles and responsibilities, and schedules.
> > b. Discreetly try to find out:
> > - what previous librarian did first week of school
> > - which teachers tended to 'hang out' in the library (you need
> > them)
> > - who (if anyone) organized volunteers from PTA (might be
> > different info than from school secretary!)
> > - which local librarians are/were friendly with previous librarian.
> > 3. Make friends with school custodian(s), and bring them cookies. =
Ask
> > questions about cleaning schedules, use of library space after =
school,
> > etc..
> > 4. Meet with principal, and discuss his/her goals for library =
program.
> > Ask what s/he wants you to concentrate on. Find out what library
> > schedule will be (fixed vs. flexible, open immediately or a week to =
set
> > up,
> >
> > what kind of orientations necessary, etc.) and WHY.
> > 5. See if you can go through the library files (you hope there are
> > some), and find out what last year's schedule was really like.
> > 6. Figure out the circ. system (automated or not), and decide on
> > borrowing policies and rationales.
> > 7. Make contact with pro-library faculty (see above): pump them for
> > info.
> > 8. See if you can talk to previous librarian, or neighboring =
librarian,
> > re: circulation system, circ. policies, faculty attitude toward
> > library.
> > 9. Find a copy of "The Little Engine That Could."
> > 10. Inform family that you will NOT be cooking dinner for the first
> > week of school.
> >
> > WEEK BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS:
> > 1. (elementary schools) Select enough titles for read-alouds or
> > booktalks to cover all classes.
> > 2. Plan and rehearse your orientation lessons. Make sure to allow at
> > least 10 minutes for book browsing/checkout.
> > 3. Figure out the circ. system's quirks, and find out what kind of
> > clerical/volunteer/student help you could hope to have.
> > 4. Learn how to use any computer and/or AV equipment you are
> > responsible for. Find the instruction manuals (yeah, right) or send =
for
> > more.
> >
> > 5. Figure out the shortest route to the faculty bathroom, and how =
long
> > it takes to get there.
> > 6. Read "The Little Engine that Could" to yourself.
> > 7. Pick out wardrobe for entire first week of school. Make sure that
> > you have comfortable shoes, clothes with pockets, and that =
everything
> > fits and is ready to wear.
> > 8. Practice looking welcoming but not over-eager or terrified.
> > 9. Remind the family that you will NOT be cooking dinner next week.
> > Make alternate arrangements, plans, etc., as needed, and post them =
on
> > your
> >
> > refrigerator door.
> > 10. Buy throat lozenges.
> >
> >
> > FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL:
> > 1. Re-read "The Little Engine that Could" to yourself every morning,
> > before you get to school.
> > 2. Wear pin or badge that says "Hi, I'm ----. How can I help you?" =
at
> > all times. Be very visible in the library- at the shelves, etc., =
NOT
> > hiding behind the desk.
> > 3. Greet everyone who comes into the library. Remind library staff =
(if
> > any) to introduce you whenever possible, and to give you background
> > info discreetly. DO NOT WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO YOU -- GO *TO*
> > THEM!!
> > 4. Eat lunch with different faculty group each day (if possible). =
Do
> > NOT skip lunch, or eat by yourself in the library. Yes, you may have
> > tons of work to do, but one of your most important jobs is to get to
> > know
> > the rest of the faculty. . . . as a person AND as a professional. =
ASK
> > TO JOIN DIFFERENT GROUPS EACH DAY. DO NOT WAIT TO BE INVITED.
> > 5. Observe faculty interactions and school culture carefully. Do =
NOT
> > get sucked into any one clique or grade-level group. Be equally
> > friendly to all (even those you hate at first sight -- you don't =
know
> > who
> > *they* are friendly with, yet).
> > 6. Do not make any changes in the library routines right away, =
unless
> > absolutely necessary. Be prepared with good 'practical' reasons for =
any
> > changes you do make.
> > 7. Do NOT be the first person to arrive at school, or the last to
> > leave. Work regular hours, just like the teachers. You don't get
> > overtime
> >
> > pay or brownie points for extended time in the building.
> > 8. Keep a work log of what you did each day. You'll be amazed at =
how
> > time disappears.
> > 9. Start a personal diary. Use this for venting, instead of spewing
> > every night to your family.
> > 10. Have dinner delivered or brought in this week. You will be too
> > pooped to cook, or even to go out to eat.
> >
> > FIRST MONTH OF SCHOOL:
> > 1. Use every spare moment to learn your collection. Read shelves, =
play
> > with technology, etc.
> > 2. Learn kid's names, or at least 4 in every class. (You will =
probably
> > quickly learn the names of the trouble-makers, but make sure to =
learn
> > others, too)
> > 3. Learn all the teacher's names. If there is a yearbook with
> > pictures, use that as your cheat-sheet.
> > 4. Find out which teachers are the most influential faculty members
> > (and why), and find ways to work with them.
> > 5. Start a "teacher-interaction" log: a separate page for each =
teacher
> > you talk to/with. Make brief notes about any discussions you have =
about
> > library use OF ANY KIND. You will find these notes invaluable as the
> > year progresses.
> > 6. Remember to HAVE A PERSONAL LIFE on the weekends.
> >
> > Remember: every one feels a little bit lonely at first. It's like
> > moving to a new town: not all the neighbors are going to greet you =
with
> > open arms -- they may just have other things on their minds right =
now!
> >
> >> > Keep a list in a folder of things teachers ask for.
> > Solicit teacher and student suggestions when ordering.
> > If asked for something for the collection, deliver it as soon as =3D
> > possible, or if necessary, put it on reserve for that person when it =
is
=3D
> > available.
> > Communicate! Get to know your faculty and students.
> > Put helpful or interesting articles in teacher's boxes.
> > Tape candy to memos you send (This suits me- being my name is Candy =
=3D
> > Sample!).
> > Do story/lesson then book exchange. =3D20
> > Have bookmarks ready at the desk.
> > Publish a list of new books as soon as they are processed.
> > Have rotating activities for students.
> > Let students get to know you.
> > Wear interesting jewelry (if that's your thing).
> > Relax and enjoy the students.
> > Ask for help.
> > Find a mentor.
> > Use the first year for experience. Keep track of what works, what =
=3D
> > doesn't. Wait until the second year for big changes.
> > Decide which skills you will teach and prepare early.
> > Prepare a variety of book talks and activities.
> > Get to know your collection.
> > If you're having a hard time fitting a skill into the curriculum or =
=3D
> > collaboration, turn it into a game:
> > travel agents (to conduct country research)
> > trivia team competition (World Book and picking word searches)
> > Listen and read up on what is happening in the classrooms and pull =
=3D
> > resources ahead of time.
> > Know major curriculum areas.
> > Don't worry about small stuff.
> > Promote what you do.
> > Welcome volunteers.
> > Do contests-promote!
> > Keep staff informed with a newsletter.
> > Listen to the children!
> > Have fun.
> > Participate in state's Children's Book Awards.
> > Some helpful sites:
> > http://tln.lib.mi.us/~rtruxall/media/
> > http://www.pld.ayatte.k12.ky.us/lms/index.html
> >
>=20
-------------
> > Survival hints:
> >
> > #1 - maintain your sense of humor
> >
> > The job will seem overwhelming at first - getting to know teachers =
and
> > students, wanting to get everything done and do the right thing. =
So, =3D
> > give
> > yourself a LOT of credit for getting to where you are, you will =
learn =3D
> > the
> > rest "on the job". You can only tackle one task at a time. You'll =
have
> > to decide how to juggle things, but believe me, everything will work =
out
> > over the school year, so don't panic and don't get upset with =
yourself.
=3D
> >
> > The nature of this job is that you can't get everything done in a =
day =3D
> > and
> > go home with a clear mind... get the most important stuff done. Go =
home
> > and relax - you need to not work 24 hours a day.
> >
> > Keep an open mind, try not to say no to most requests, and let other
> > people fill you in one different things. Then, when you have had =
some
> > time under your belt, make your own decisions. Trust your clerk to =
help
> > you a lot - develop a good working relationship there. If the job =
has =3D
> > no
> > clerical help - don't take the position.
> >
> > Keep posting to LM_NET next year and asking for help. This is a =
very
> > collegial profession - you'll get some great answers.
> > ---------------------
> > Enjoy your new profession! I've been a librarian for 22 years, the =
last
> > 5 as a school librarian (K-5), and still enjoy every day.
> > My advice: Always have a lesson plan. Know what you want to do for =
the
> > day. Have your books ready to read, your activities ready to hand =
out
> > and your puppets ready to pop on your hand. =3D20
> > And then have a Plan B. =3D20
> > Interesting things will occur throughout the day and as the =
librarian,
> > you will have to go with the flow. There will be fire drills just =
as
> > you turn the page to a captivating storybook, a child will throw up
> > sometime/anytime in your library, or there's always the child who =
has
> > heard every single book you've chosen to read and hated it. But =
again,
> > with planning and on the opposite end, flexibiity, you'll have a =
great
> > time! =3D20
> > ----------So, the first thing I did was make my assistant my best =
buddy!
=3D
> > I also got a
> > great mom who volunteers daily for checkout and shelving!
> >
> > Then, I started to rebuild -- with the help of the kids. I did webs =
with
=3D
> > my
> > upper grades, asking what they liked to read. It helped. We ordered =
I =3D
> > Spy
> > books and new drawing books. I bought lots of good series books, =
too. =3D
> > They
> > are happier now than they were in September because they see the
> > improvements.
> >
> > In fact, my fifth graders wish they could stay -- we're getting new =
=3D
> > carpeting
> > and shelving too!
> >
> > Then, I learned to work with a select group of teachers. I have my =
pals,
=3D
> > and
> > they are a big help. They inform me about curriculum changes and =
other =3D
> > stuff.
> > I also can complain to them and they don't mind.
> >
> > The rebuild will continue -- and my students see the progress. I =
make =3D
> > sure we
> > have lots of contests. We give away lots of prizes. We keep it =
loose.
> >
> > Now, that said, there will be changes next year.
> >
> > I'm going to post my rules early. And the consequences. I will be =
=3D
> > helping
> > with the fourth and fifth grade and their projects. We want some
> > accountability. So our teachers will have media folders for kids to =
keep
> > their bibliography notes, etc. I also plan to help them to include =
some
=3D
> > of
> > the information on tests. I mean, I had an incident this week when =
my
> > assistant blew it into me that fifth graders did not know how to use =
the
=3D
> > card
> > catalog. I taught it. They didn't listen. So next year, we'll test =
them
=3D
> > to
> > make sure they know it! I also plan to post the instructions next to =
our
> > computers.
> > -------First day, smile a lot.
> > First week, ask lots of questions - observe and evaluate but hold =
off on
> > huge changes - sometimes there's a reason for things that you =
haven't
> > figured out yet.
> > First month - always treat your users as customers - ask what you =
can do
=3D
> > for
> > them and then do it! You're own priorities often will be on the back =
=3D
> > burner,
> > but down times do come (rarely, but they do) Keep a list on your =
desk =3D
> > and
> > jump to it whenever you can.
> > First year - lots of what you do won't make sense until the end of =
May =3D
> > and
> > you'll have a better perspective on what to change the following =
year.
> > Be positive, plan well, implement carefully and include lots of =
input =3D
> > from
> > users on how things should be. No matter how stressful it gets =
always
> > remember you are in a most noble profession - promoting the love of =
=3D
> > reading
> > and information literacy.
> > -----------Stake our your own vision. Don't let what teachers are =
used
=3D
> > to keep you from=3D20
> > your own path. Always focus on the students. Always insist that =
the =3D
> > library=3D20
> > stay open.
> > --------
> > What did I do to survive? Focus on the collection. There was =
nothing =3D
> > for me to do until I had a viable library for the students. Since =
=3D
> > March, I've thrown out over 2,500 books. Can you believe it? I =
still
=3D
> > have biographies/collection biographies and fiction left to weed.
> > It was back breaking, tedious labor, but the best way to get to know =
my
=3D
> > collection. I'm way ahead in that. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do =
=3D
> > most of the work which I love, which is working with the kids... I =
have
=3D
> > lots of ideas for next year and I hope I can put them to work. I =
also =3D
> > hope I have a viable budget for next year!
> > --------Building relationships with the faculty and students needs =
to be
=3D
> > your first
> > priority. All the "thing-oriented" stuff is secondary. If you =
don't =3D
> > have
> > relationships with the people, all the great things that you have =
and =3D
> > that
> > you organize will never be used.
> > ----------
> > The first day - dress professionally, but make sure you have =
comfortable
> > shoes. Put up a colorful WELCOME banner... have some bookmarks =
ready =3D
> > with
> > pertinent info: Your name, hours the library is opened ( if =
different =3D
> > from
> > scheduled classes- for example I am open 1/2 hour before classes =
begin =3D
> > and
> > two hours after school and the library is closed the 1/2 hour I am =
at
> > lunch), and any other really important thing you want them to =
know... =3D
> > Smile
> > a lot - be ready to answer any questions about yourself...
> >
> > Have a notebook handy to jot down anything that you are told - or =
=3D
> > overhear-
> > about what goes on during the school year ( "I always look forward =
to =3D
> > the
> > book fair"," I always read Beverly Cleary to my class" )
> >
> > The first week, don't expect to get any of your own work done. Take =
the
> > time to really familiarize yourself with all the school routine and =
just
> > settle in. Don't promise anything - If asked if you can do =
something =3D
> > like a
> > project say "I'll check the schedule and see when we can get =
together to
> > work on it." so you don't accidentally schedule two different =
projects =3D
> > with
> > two different teachers at the same time.
> >
> > By the end of the first month you should be feeling confident enough =
to
> > start suggesting things you would like to do- but again, don't bite =
off
> > more than you can handle at a time.
> >
> > By the end of the year, if you have kept lots of notes, you should =
have
=3D
> > a
> > good feel for how the year went and what you will need to firm up on =
=3D
> > next
> > year.
> >
> > Remember, the kids don't always know you are completely new - so =
they
> > aren't judging you and those teachers who are there remember how
> > intimidating it could be to be the "New" person on staff.
> > ----
> > My first day was so long ago, I barely remember it! However, the
> > first day is similar to a first day in the school. This is what I =
have
> > learned over the years.
> > Get to school early, before it starts for the year. Go through =3D
> > everything:
> > files, policies, professional materials, lesson planes, curriculum, =
and
> > etc. Decide on your policies, how to operate, and etc, what to keep =
=3D
> > what to
> > change, type up for staff. don't make too many drastic changes in =
the
> > beginning. You don't want to allienate the staff! After the first =
year
> > you'll see where you want to make changes, explain to staff your =
reason
=3D
> > when
> > you do.
> > Plan your lessons for the first week. Generally, an introducation =
to =3D
> > you,
> > your polices and rules, routines, do something fun, and allow book =
=3D
> > choosing
> > time. How are classes going to be scheduled? Don't forget to allow
> > yourself lunch.
> > Set up your working area and files. Decorate the library and put up
> > bulletin boards. Be ready to help staff when they arrive.
> > The first year do not weed books, learn your collection. Watch what =
the
> > staff uses and relies on. Take a complete inventory noting items =
that
> > should be weeded and where the gaps are, note what is not moving. =
=3D
> > Compare
> > your collection to standards of the field; Elementary School Library
> > Collection, Wilson's Children Catalog, curriculum materails, and =
other
> > rcommended list or secondary standards. Note this information on =
the =3D
> > shelf
> > list or equivalent. Learn from my mistakes! The staff can get very
> > attached to certain materials. Sometmes you have to leave some =3D
> > materials on
> > your shelves until that staff member leaves.
> > Get to know your staff and how they work. Make friends with the =3D
> > secretary,
> > custodian, and cafeteria staff. Be welcoming and flexible.
I'm just starting a new school, and was in the public library before.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-----------------------
First, get the room ready. =20
work on your class rules and get them posted if that's what you do in =
your=20
school. (ask mentor). That will be your lesson for the first week, as =
well=20
as how to check out a book. Read your school handbook and whatever =
seems to=20
be important to the principal.
If you have any of Judy Freeman's books or pub. lib. has them, they're =
good=20
to read. Your story time experience, as well as your good knowledge of=20
children's lit. will be very helpful.
If you want to freshen the walls, you might think of doing a theme for =
the year....that way you can tie a lot of stuff in with it....or have =
the kids help you decorate with a project they do the first =
week.....something like "Good Book Banners"....One year I did a theme of =
"sports" and all around the library I hung those triangular banners that =
Colleges have....
on them they put their favorite title or series or author and then =
illustrated it with a simple symbol to represent that title etc.
I think kids' work is the best way to show things are happening in your =
library...
maybe have a bookmark contest...pick a winner from each grade level, =
print their bookmarks, and let students have them---could color them =
etc.
you could use the theme you choose as the bookmark contest...
-----------------------------------------------
Kim Monaco
Library Media Specialist
Bellerose Ave. School
East Northport, NY=20
www.northport.k12.ny.us
http://home.att.net/~kimberleym
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